Simulation of tropospheric scintillation on LEO satellite link based on space-time channel modeling

Tropospheric scintillation effect is well modelled for Earth to satellite communication in clear air conditions. Statistical models are available for geostationary and non-geostationary satellites. Time series simulators have been developed for geostationary links and are not valid for spatial applications involving LEO satellites such as Earth Observation Satellites. A new scintillation model is proposed in order to take into account both the dynamic behaviour of the troposphere and the movement of the LEO satellite. This model takes advantages of the outputs generated by Weather Research and Forecasting software which simulates the space-time behaviour of the turbulent troposphere. From its outputs, the refractive index structure constant and the standard deviation of the signal log-amplitude caused by the scintillation are computed and the time varying scintillation spectrum is defined by its two asymptotes. Finally, time series of clear air scintillation can be generated by filtering white noise with the spectrum obtained.